Remote controlled action toy

ABSTRACT

An action toy controlled by a remote control handle device for providing high drive speeds, automatic braking, and automatic steering of the toy by utilizing an extensible resilient traction means attached between the toy and the control handle. The traction means is effective to give the operator control of the toy whether the toy is confined to a predetermined track or is free to move randomly on a surface. The toy may be totally unpowered, or may be self-powered with a driving means and/or power supply means provided in either the control handle or within the action toy itself.

I 1;, Elmte States Patent 1191 1111 3,753,53 Bross Aug. 21, 1973 4]REMOTE CONTROLLED ACTION TOY 2,620,596 12/1952 Abrahamson 46/210 [75]Inventor: Helmut Bross, Altenberg U/Numberg, Germany 2:846:225 8/1958[73] Assignee: Helmut Bross, Nurnberg, Germany 2,064,309 12/1936 Lohr46/208 X [22] Filed; Apr. 1 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS pp o 4,7 354,732 1937 Italy 46/210 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene [30]Foreign Application Priority Data Assistant ExaminerD. L. Weinhold July12, 1969 Germany P 19 35 461.1 Attorney-Flat, pp & Jacobson Apr. 8, 1969Germany P 19 17 755.0

Apr. 8, 1969 Germany G 69 l9 975.9 [57] ABSTRACT July 12, i969 Germany G69 27 595.2 An action y controlled y a remote com-r0] handle 52 vs. 01.46/202, 46/210 f speeds [5 I 1 Int A63]. 17/26 mg, and automatlc steermgof the toy by ut1l1z1ng an e;; [58] Field of Search"; 415/210, 202, 243,tensble means "F F f *6/12. 273/95 A toy and the control handle. Thetractlon means 1s ef eeme to give the operator contrql of the toywhether the [561 UNITED STATES PATENTS unpowered, or may be self-poweredwith a driving 2,887,823 5/1959 Vaughn 46/210 X means and/ power supplymeans provided in either 2,667,721 2/1954 Muller 46/2 X the controlhandle or within the action toy itself. l,791,070 2/l93l Coggon 46/210 72,604,727 7/1952 Swenson 46/210 X 6 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures 5 o I t 5t l 1 iv 5 o 7 I a G:

. 1 REMOTE CONTROLLED ACTION TOY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thebackground ofthe invention will be set forth in two parts, Field of theInvention and Description of the Prior Art.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains generally to thefield of controllable action toys, and more particularly to remotecontrolled action toys, whereby control is effected by means of anextensible resilient traction means in the form of a control line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR-ART Toy vehicles, boats, airplanes, andotheraction toys controlled by traction, or a control line, are well known inthe art. Generally, these known devices are controlled in driving,braking andsteering'functions at some distance from the toy bymechanical coupling or electrically operated drive means. There arecertain obvious disadvantages ofthese prior art toys, however, in thatthe mechanical or electrical coupling from the control device to the toyis complex and "expensive, and their manipulation is difficult and timeconsuming.

Such shortcommings of the prior art are particularly objectional"considering that'toys are generally designed to be inexpensiveandsiinple in operation.

Additionally, the required controlline used in prior art devices isgenerally relatively heavy and rigid; normally lying on the ground inmore or less unordered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these foregoing factors andconditions characteristic of prior art action toys, it is a primaryobject of the present invention to provide a new and improved remotecontrolled traction toy not subject to the disadvantages enumeratedabove and to provide a new and novel means of remotely controlling anaction toy.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a remotecontrolled action toy for which realistic driving, braking, and steeringfunctions are remotely controlled by an extended resilient tractioncontrol line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an action toywhose driving, braking, and steering functions are remotely controlledby a hand-held control device at the free end of an extended resilientcontrol line.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide remotelycontrolled driving, braking, and steering functions for an action toy bymeans of an extended resilient control line, whereby the toy can attainhigh speeds on a straightway, experience automatic braking beforereaching a turning curve, and be automatically steered as a result ofthe'toy reaching the outer limits determined by the extensibility of theresilient control line. r

It is a further object of the invention to provide remote control andsteering-functions of an action toy by utilization of simple controlmeans which minimize the manufacturing cost of the toy.

Another object of the invention is' to provide a remotely controlledaction toy wherein the extended control line attached to the toy is heldin substantially a straight. line between the operator and the toypreventing entanglement of the vehicle with the line both as anautomatic feature of the invention and optionally con trollable by theoperator.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an action toy whichis automatically braked while making a turn, the decelerating energyexpended thereby being stored as potential energy, such potential energybeing released afterthe toy has made thetum to impart acceleration tothe toy as it enters the straightaway.

According to the present invention, an action toy is controlled andmanipulated by an extensible traction means in the form of a controlline attached between the action toy and a handle means. The toy may beconfined to a predetermined track configuration or free to move randomlyon a surface. While the application of the present invention iswell'suited for action toys such as boats, trains, airplanes and wheeledvehicles, the particular embodiment discussed herein is directedspecifically to wheeled toy vehicles. However, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that the related novel techniques disclosed areequally applicable to other forms of action toys, and this disclosure isnot to be interpreted as being exclusive of toys other than wheeledvehicles.

It is well recognized in the toy industry that toys which are realisticin their operation and which have the appearance of their realisticcounterparts attract and keep the attention of children and adultsalike, much more than toys which do not exhibit such realism. However,in order to simulate the braking, turning, accelerating, anddecelerating characteristics of a racing vehicle, complex and costlymechanisms for programming such control over the vehicle precludesincorporating such features in a toy. The present invention creates adevice for driving toy vehicles by remote control, such device aiding inobtaining high straightaway speeds, automatic braking before reaching acurve,and'an automatic turning function, all of which are highlydesirable in simulated racing events.

The extensible control line between the toy vehicle and the controlhandle represents a traction means acting upon the vehicle preferably infront of and above the center of gravity of the vehicle, such tractionmeans being extensible such that the length of the traction means variesas the distance between the operator and the vehicle varies. Theextensible traction means is designed to auto-matically exert aback-tension on the vehicle which increases as the distance between thetoy and the operator increases. In this manner, the increasedback-tension creates a braking action on the vehicle tending todecelerate the vehicle prior to making a curved turn, returning the toyvehicle in the direction of the operator. The back-tension may becreated by the inherent resilient characteristic of the traction meansor by means of a storage reel which automatically retracts the tractionmeans as the vehicle approaches the operator.

A coupling member is provided on the vehicle for attachment of one endof the traction means. The traction means may be fixedly attached orrotatably attached to the vehicle by means of the specific couplingmember utilized. In order to facilitate replacement of the tractionmeans, either by a new traction means or in the event that the originaltraction means breaks, a detachable attachment member can be used whichis fixedly attached to the end of the traction means and releasablyattached to the coupling member on the vehicle. In this manner, thetraction means can be easily and quickly removed, allowing a child toplay with the toy vehicle in a normal manner.

The extensible traction means may take the form of a thin rubber-like orelastic strand, a non-extensible thin control line adapted to be woundon a retractable reel system, a pneumatic bellows-operated retractablemember, or coil-like hardened current carrying wires. Any of theabove-mentioned means of providing an extensible traction means may beadapted, by use of a branching member, to provide control of twovehicles simultaneously. Such a dual control system adds considerablepleasure and excitement to the child operator.

When an elastic strand is used for the traction means, longer life fromthe strand can be expected if a clothspun coating is wound around acenter elastic core. By this expedient, protection for the fragileelastic core is gained, while the coiled effect of the spun coatingpermits retention of the extensible properties of the strand.

In order to provide even more realism, the vehicle may be powered by anelectric or mechanical driving system to impart acceleration to thevehicle in addition to that gained by the stored energy in the tractionmeans or that gained by manual or automatic movement of the controlhandle. When such additional drive means are used, a one-way clutch maybe incorporated to enable manual acceleration forces to exceed thatoffered by the motor, and a slip clutch may be provided to preventdamage to the motor or motor supply when the toy is purposely,forcefully stopped or when an obstruction in the path of the toy hamperscontinued motion. Devices for transmitting mechanical emergy from thehandle to the vehicle can comprise manually actuated mechanical means inthe handle, or the free end of the traction means can be moved by handimparting the actuating mechanical energy to the vehicle without thenecessity of providing an electric or mechanical motor means. An exampleof manually transmitting mechanical energy to the vehicle is by way ofmoving the free end of the traction means in a circular motion which inturn rotates a crank arm mounted on the vehicle, the manuallyeffectuated circular motion being aided by a swinging weight along thelength of the traction means offering aid in sustaining the crankingmotion.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention andspecific embodiments thereof will be described hereinafter by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements or parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and side views,respectively, of

the play operations which can be performed with a remotely controlledtoy vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side and top views, respectively, of a toy vehiclehaving a traction means attached to a coupling member on the outside ofthe toy vehicle.

FIG. 5 shows a coupling member for attaching a traction means to the toyvehicle.

. FIG. 6 shows a coupling member having a detachable attachment member.

FIG. 7 shows a coupling member with storage space for a non-elastictraction means.

FIG. 8 shows a coupling member with the pulling rubber strand storedinside on a series of rotatable grooved wheels.

FIG. 9 shows a handle with a mechanical traction device for anon-elastic traction means.

FIG. 10 shows a pneumatically elongatable elastic membrane hose for useas a traction means.

FIG. 11 shows an electrically driven toy vehicle.

FIG. 12 shows a rotating electrical contact element.

FIG. 13 shows an electrically driven toy vehicle with a storage devicein the vehicle and a rotating contact element at the handle.

FIG. 14 shows an electrically driven toy vehicle, the traction means ofwhich engages a forward and backward moving arc of a track-like section.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show four embodiments of pairs of traction means with twocoupling members for control of two action toys by a single operator.

7 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown, by way of example, a traction means 1 attached to avehicle 2 at a point 3 preferably in front of and above the center ofgravity 4 of the toy vehicle 2. The traction means 1 is held and movedby the hand of a child or adult operator at its free end 5. The tractionmeans, while providing a pulling drive force for the vehicle, takes theform of an extensible control line between the toy vehicle and theoperator whereby the traction means remains held along a straight lineextending from the hand of the operator to the vehicle regardless of thedistance the vehicle is away from the operator (within certain limits,depending upon-the traction means physical characteristics). In thismanner, the traction means is prevented from slacking when the vehicleand operator are in close proximity avoiding the possibility that thetraction means will lie in the path of travel of the vehicle andinterfere with its travel or become entangled therewith.

FIG. 2 shows a straight line path 6 through which the free end 5 of thetraction means is moved by the operator to impart acceleration to thevehicle 2. Due to the resilient action of the traction means, thevehicle follows a directional path parallel to the straight line path 6in a somewhat delayed action. That is, a time phase shift is experiencedby the vehicle, in that the complete straight line path 6 is completedby the free end 5 of traction means 1 prior to the completion of acorresponding distance of travel by the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2, beingof a free rolling type toy vehicle, is free to roll a distance greaterthan the distance traveled by the free end 5, effectively overshooting"an equivalent length of travel experienced by the free end 5. As thevehicle continues overshooting" its mark, backtension on the vehicle isincreased in the direction opposite the initial direction, the tractionmeans assuming the position shown at 1b in FIG. 3.

Thus, the vehicle is caused to execute a turn or curve and return in thedirection of free end 5. Absent any further movement of free end 5, thevehicle will soon i come to rest after a sufficient number of back andforth oscillations of the vehicle are made to dissipate the initiallyimparted energy. Sustained oscillations of the vehicle in a back andforth straight-line path may be maintained by moving the free end 5intermittently back and forth in the straight-line path 6 of FIGS. 1 and2. Under this condition, after the vehicle has executed its first turn,the vehicle againgoes past a distance equal to that through which thefree end 5 moved, and again due to the phase shift involved, the freeend 5 can be moved in its initial direction while the vehicle is causedto decelerate, make a turn, and return to be accelerated by theincreased tension in traction means 1, and the cycle continues in thisfashion.

It will be appreciated that when the vehicle 2 is near the end of one ofits paths of travel (shown at the extreme outer positions in FIGS. 1 and2), the increased tension due to the storage of potential energy in theresilient traction means acts as an automatic braking system for thevehicle, slowing the vehicle down just prior to the vehicle reaching theturning point 7 of the straight line path shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.Accordingly, the vehicle, while experiencing the curve or turn to returnto the position of the operator, is slowed to a speed sufficient tomaintain balance of the vehicle on its wheels precluding the possibilityof overturning the vehicle on the expected sharp turn. Such automaticbraking is closely analogous to the real life situation with a humandriver in a racing vehicle.

FIGS. 1 and 2 further show a deviation from the straight-line path,indicating that the vehicle can be caused to traverse a variety ofsimulated track figures at the option of the operator. For example,forward and backward motions of the free end 5 along the figure 8 path8, produces a path of travel of the vehicle as shown at 9. Again, thevehicle motion is shifted in time relative to the hand motion, and thepath of travel of the vehicle is determined by the frictionalcharacteristics of the vehicle and surface, the resilientcharacteristics of the traction means I, the weight of the vehicle, andthe directed motion of the free end 5. Thus the vehicle traverses thepath 9 resembling the path 8 of the free end 5 on a magnified scale. Itis preferable that the turning points 7 of the straight path of thevehicle are spaced a distance of from 8 to 20 feet. When the action toyis used out of doors, the distance can be increased to some 30 feet.

It is obvious that other paths of travel than the orderly repetitivestraight line and figure 8" patterns discussed can be attained at theoption of the operator. For example, the free end 5 can be moved so thata random curved path 10 of the free end 5 results in a correspondingmagnified random path of the controlled toy vehicle 2. However, if it isdesired, the path traversed by the free end 5 may be larger than thepath traveled by the vehicle. If the traction means 1 is maintained atan angle'of approximately 80 degrees from the horizontal as shown at laof FIG. 2, the free end 5 can be caused to traverse a random curved path10, while the vehicle traverses a smaller corresponding random curvedpath 11, again in a time phase lag relationship.

In the latter-mentioned position of the traction means, the turningpoints may be spaced as close as several inches.

When the toy vehicle approaches the end point 7 of a prescribed path oftravel, a series of automatic control functions is experienced. it willbe seen that the extensible characteristics of the traction meansprovide simultaneously for deceleration of the toy vehicle, storage ofthe decelerating energy, steering or turning control of the vehicle, andaccelerating forces on the vehicle. With the exception of theaforementioned timerelated phase shift between the motion of the freeend 5 and the directional motion of the vehicle in relation thereto, theautomatic control features are desirable characteristics of the actiontoy and result as an inherent quality of the novel extensible tractionmeans 1.

As the vehicle approaches the end point 7 of the path of travel, itexperiences deceleration as the tension of the extensible traction meansincreases and energy is stored therein. With a traction force of thetraction means equal to less than half the weight of the toy vehicleunder minimum load conditions (the inner positions of the vehicle asshown in FIG. 2) and the traction force of the traction means 1corresponding to at least the weight of the toy vehicle 2 under maximumload conditions (the outer positions of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 2),and as a result of the connection of the traction means 1 to the vehiclein front of the center of gravity 4 of the vehicle 2, an unstablecondition exists where the back tension exerted by the traction meanstends to rotate the vehicle about the center of gravity 4, forcing thetoy vehicle to execute a turning motion, simulating the vehicle turninga curve at a strongly decelerated velocity. To aid in maintaining thevehicle in an upright position while executing a turn, the rear wheelsof the vehicle, preferably located behind the center of gravity 4, havea roughened frictional surface in which to engage the road surface,while the front wheels are relatively smooth. Additionally, when thetraction means is at maximum length, a small angle 12 between thetraction means 1 and the horizontal aids in preventing the front of thetoy vehicle from lifting.

It was previously noted that the point of attachment 3 of the vehicle 2is preferably situated above the center of gravity 4. While this tendsto counteract the stability of the vehicle in a turning motion at themaximum load position, the effect of a slight positional offset of theattachment point 3 from the center of gravity 4 has little effect due tothe small angle 12 and the relatively large distance that the point ofattachment 3 is in front of the center of gravity 4. Because point 3 isabove the center of gravity 4, a vehicle which has been inadvertentlyturned over on its side or back can easily be returned to its originalposition by a simple lifting motion of the traction means 1. There is noneed for the operator to bend down or touch the vehicle to reset it froman overturnedposition.

Upon completing its turn, the vehicle heads back in the direction of theoperator, and due to the potential energy stored in the resilienttraction means, acceleration is imparted to the vehicle. The free end 5may then be moved in a predetermined pattern, the pulling energy exertedthereby, accompanied by the stored potential energy of the tractionmeans, accelerates the vehicle to extremely high peak velocity levels.

If desired, the free end 5 may be manually guided along a predeterminedcourse at a low constant speed,

causing the toy vehicle to run in similar, reduced scale curves on thepath surface 13. However, as previously set forth, when the free end ismoved intermittently back and forth in a straight line path, i.e., withshort pauses at the end positions of the paths, extreme accelerations upto three times the gravitational acceleration of the toy, highvelocities, and a backward and forward course of up to 30 feet in lengthcan be attained.

Disposed at the point 3 of attachment on the vehicle 2 securing means inthe form of a coupling member (FIG. 3) is provided in order to permit arapid reattachment of the end of the traction means and/or provides aconvenient and expedient means for detaching the traction means for useof the toy in a normal manner.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the toy vehicle in a side and top view respectively.In these figures, the traction means 1 is attached to the outside of thetoy vehicle 2 at point 3 by means of coupling member 14. Various formsof the coupling member 14 may be used for attachment of the tractionmeans to the vehicle. An example of a suitable coupling member 14 isshown in FIG. 5, wherein a base member 15 threadably mates with aclamping screw 16 having an aperture 17 therein to accept the vehicleend of the traction means 1. When the screw 16 is tightened, the end ofthe traction means 1 is clamped between the front face 18 of theclamping screw and the face 19 of the base member 15. Attachment to thevehicle body, e.g. to the radiator hood, is made by means of aself-adhesive plate 20, shown in FIG. 5 as carrying a protective coverlayer 21. Other means of attaching the base member to the vehicle bodyare equally suitable, such as a suction cup mount or a permanent magnet.

The coupling member provides quick detachment of the traction means fromthe vehicle body yet maintains a sufficient attachment contact with thevehicle body to resist the forces exerted upon it under maximum loadconditions exerted by the traction means 1.

Other means of attaching the end of the traction means 1 to the couplingmember 14 as shown in FIG. 5, are equally convenient to be utilized withthe present invention. For example, the end of the traction means afterpassing through an aperture 17 of the coupling member 14, might beclamped to the coupling member 14 by means of a lever wedge, a pinwedge, a tie loop in the end of the traction means, adhesive tapestrips, radially resilient bolts or plugs inserted in an aperture in thevehicle body, or a pin and receptacle combination, none of which areshown in the accompanying drawings but all of which have as theirobjective to facilitate the attachment and reattachment of the tractionmeans 1 to the vehicle 2 in the event that a traction means 1necessitates repair or a new traction means is used. In this connection,it is anticipated that the child operator may have a variety of tractionmeans each having different characteristics depending upon the surfaceused, the weight of the vehicle, and the desired path the vehicle is totraverse.

' In operation, it is highly desirable that the traction means 1 bedetached from the coupling member 14 quickly and conveniently withoutthe necessity of complex manipulating procedures. FIG. 6 shows acoupling member 14a having a base member 15a adapted to be secured tothe vehicle body by means of a resilient suction cup portion 22 of thebase portion 15a in addition to the adhesive plate 20 and protectivecover 21 as previously described with reference to FIG. 5. In theembodiment of the coupling member 14a, shown in FIG. 6, a detachableattachment member 23 is shown in the form of a blunted pin 24 having aneyelet 25, through which the traction means 1 is tied. The embodiment ofthe detachable attachment member and coupling member combination asshown in FIG. 6 serves as an example only and other disengagement-typestructures might take the form of conical plugs, mating screws, buttons,or of a dovetail guide. While these alternate forms of attachmentmembers are not shown in the accompanying drawings, the use of any ofthe described forms is acceptable for the purposes of the presentinvention.

For ease of operation, the free end 5 of the traction means 1 may besecured to a convenient handle member 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The handlemember 26 is designed to be comfortably held by the operator and to addto the enjoyment of the operator. The traction means 1 may be attachedto the handle member 26 by means of a coupling member of similar designas the coupler member 14 used for attaching the traction means to thevehicle 2, as previously discussed. For quick and easy replacement ofthe traction means, a combination of a coupling member 14a and adetachable attachment member 23 similar to the combination shown in FIG.6 may be used.

As heretofore described, the traction means 1 takes the form of aresilient control line for manipulating the vehicle 2. The resilientcharacteristics of a traction means 1 may be realized in a variety ofpossible structural configurations. For example, the traction means 1may be a thin rubber or elastic strand. On the other hand, a non-elasticfilament strand may be used, provided the resilient characteristics ofthe traction means are preserved. This may be accomplished by providinga retractable reel system upon which the non-elastic strand is wound andunwound, either automatically or at the control of the operator, and yetwhich is responsive to the forces acting on the traction means 1 as thevehicle 2 varies its distance from the operator.

A non-elastic strand and reel system is shown in FIG. 7. In thisembodiment, the reel system housing 27 is substituted for the couplingmember 14 (FIG. 5) and is adhesively mounted to the hood of the vehicleby means of the adhesive plate 20a. The non-elastic traction means 1 isfed to the inside of housing 27 through aperture 28. Emerging on theinside of the housing 27, the traction means 1 is wound and stored on areel 29 rotatably supported in the housing. The required tensioningelasticity and extensible characteristics for the traction means 1 areobtained by a coil spring 30 acting on the reel 29. Thus, it can be seenthat the resilient characteristics of the extensible traction means ispreserved, and operation of the vehicle in a manner similar to that whenthe traction means comprises a simple rubber strand is achieved. Theretractable reel system shown in FIG. 7 is mountable 0n the hood of thevehicle 2 by means of adhesive plate 20a. However, such a retractablereel system can equally be mounted in the handle 26 (FIG. 3) as aretractable means for taking up the slack in the free end 5 (FIGS. 1 and2) of the traction means 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there is provided a housing 27a and arubber strand traction means 1 which is guided over rotatable groovedwheels 31 rotatably mounted in housing 27a. The extreme end of theelastic traction means 1 is tied to a fixed point 32 on the interior ofhousing 27a. After looping around a series of grooved wheels 31, thetraction means emerges externally to the housing 27a through aperture28a, the emerging end of traction means 1 being secured to a detachableattachment member 23a for the purposes heretofore described. As thetension on the traction means increases with increased distance of thevehicle with respect to the operator, the elastic traction means 1 isstretched throughout its lengthy, winding path around the peripheries ofthe grooved wheels 31 allowing the traction means to be extended. Uponturning of the vehicle 2 after reaching its turning point 7 (FIGS. 1 and2), the slackened elastic traction means 1 is allowed to retract withinhousing 27a to be restored on the series of grooved wheels 31. Again, aswas indicated in connection with FIG. 7, the housing means 27a maycomprise a coupling member 14 for the vehicle or a control handle 26.

Alternate means of providing an extensible traction means are shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows a non-elastic traction means 1 stored on areel 29a which is rotatably mounted in a housing 33 and which isrotatable by action of a rack and pinion assembly 34. The bottom end ofthe reel axle 35 is attached to a twister rubber strand 36 producing thenecessary resilient characteristics of the traction means 1. The handleportion 26a comprises two elastically compressible legs 37 which, whensqueezed by the hand of the operator, operates the rack and pinionassembly 34 to impart a forward and backward motion to the tractionmeans 1 as it unwinds and winds onto the reel 29a, adjusting the lengthof the traction means in conformance with the relative position of thevehicle with respect to the operator. In this manner, both manualcontrol of the length of the traction means by operation of the rack andpinion assembly 54 and automatic control due to the effects of thetwisted rubber strand 36 are achieved.

FIG. shows an alternate embodiment of the traction means 1 in the formof a bellows-like hose 38 whose length is intermittently changed with abellowslike pump member 39, the hose 38 having an intrinsic elasticityin the direction in which the hose is expanded. At its front end, thehose is provided with a coupling member 14b having the form of arotating connector attached to the vehicle 2 precluding the buckling ofhose 38 as the vehicle 2 traverses a cyclical path.

In addition to the direct propulsion of the toy vehicle 2 by moving thefree end 5 (FIGS. 1-3) of the manually actuated traction means 1, adriving means in the toy vehicle itself or in the handle 26 can aid incomplementing the manually applied propelling forces, thus offeringcertain advantages over toy vehicles operated solely by a manuallyactuated traction means. Referring to FIG. 11, an additional drivingforce in the form of an electric motor drive system 40, 41 makes playingwith the toy more stimulating and enjoyable when the toy vehicle is usedas a race car vehicle relying on manual guidance of the free end 5 ofthe traction means 1 to perform steering functions only. If desirable,however, the toy vehicle may include a rotating one-way clutch (notshown) so that the vehicle can be propelled by a motor driving mechanism40 in the turning portions of the track path, while higher speeds on thestraightaway are achieved by manual manipulation of the tractionmeans 1. Both the motor 40 and the power supply 41 source, which may bein the form of a battery, can be placed in the toy vehicle or in thecontrol handle, and an on-off switch, whose operation depends upon thelength of the traction means, can be utilized. If it is desired, aportion of the entire motor driving mechanism 40 or the motor drivingmechanism 40 as a whole, together with switches 42, can be mounted inthe handle with an appropriate electrical or mechanical powertransmission means inserted between the handle and the toy vehicle. Ifthe power supply means 41 only is contained within the control handle26, conductors 45 resembling coiled springs can be used as the tractionmeans 1 and considered as power transmission means for the electriccurrent supplied to the motor 40 in the vehicle 2 itself.

Alternatively, the handle can include the entire motor driving mechanism40 providing mechanical energy in the form of a rotating motion or of arhythmic longitudinal motion which is transmitted to the propulsionelement of the toy vehicle via the traction means 1.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein both aresilient traction means 1 and a motor 40 is used in combination topropel and control the vehicle 2. The particular embodiment shownindicates a battery 41 mounted within the vehicle 2 and supplying energyto a motor 40 providing a driving force to the rear wheels 44 of thevehicle 2, the power being supplied to the motor 40 through handleswitch 42 .and/or vehicle switch 43. In the event that a switch 42ismounted in the handle 26 for controlling current to the motor 40,coiled spring-like current carrying cable 45 surrounding traction means1 carries the current to and from the handle switch 42. Alternatively,the coiled cable 45 has inherent elastic properties which may obviatethe necessity of a central elastic traction means 1, if this is desired.When electric current is transmitted through the current-carrying cable45, an electrical rotatable contact member is required.

FIG. 12 shows such a rotatable contact member 46 which preventsundesirable twisting of the currentcarrying cable 45 as the vehicle 2travels its repetitive cyclical path. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, afixed set of contacts 47 lie contiguous to corresponding rotatablecontacts 48, the rotatable contacts 48 representing the end of thecurrent-carrying cable 45 being retained within the fixed contacthousing 49 by retaining fingers 50. Thus, as the current-carrying cable45 rotates within the contact housing 49, continuous electrical contactis made between the corresponding conductor pairs 47 and 48.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the battery 41 and handle switch 42are mounted within the handle 26 which is rotatably decoupled from thetraction means 1 by rotatable contact 48a (as described in FIG. 12)mounted on the handle 26. The traction means 1 consists of a longelectric cable, which in the configuration shown in FIG. 13, is notrestricted to be in a coil-like form, but rather sufficiently flexibleto be wound on a reel 51 rotatably mounted within the body of thevehicle 2. A twisted rubber strand 36a is subjected to elasticrotational forces as the traction means 1 (currentcarrying cable) iswound on reel 53. The interior of the vehicle 2 carries fixed contactsprings 51 slidably engageable with contact sliders 52 representing theterminating end of traction means 1, thus supplying current to the motor40 which is in driving relationship with the rear wheels 44. In thismanner, the traction means 1 is rendered extensible by the action of thetwisted rubber strand 36a, winding the traction means 1 on reel 53,while simultaneously providing electric current to the motor 40 throughthe commutator assembly 54 consisting of contact springs 51 and contactsliders 52.

FIG. 14 shows a vehicle 2 attached by means of traction means 1 to anoverhead arch 55 under which the vehicle is adapted to pass. Theoverhead arch 55 expands the width of a track-like section 56 whichguides the vehicle 2 in a path under the overhead arch 55. The point ofattachment 57 to the overhead arch 55 provides a fixed securing pointfor the free end 5 of the traction means 1. As the overhead arch issubjected to forces causing it to swing back and forth intermittently inthe direction of arrow 58, the vehicle traverses a path corresponding tothe straight path indicated by arrow 50 except on a much magnifiedscale. In this manner, the toy vehicle exhibits the same braking,accelerating, and steering functions as previously discussed withreference to the manually formed straight path 6 indicated in FIGS. 1and 2.

Additional enjoyment in operating the present invention can be attainedby operating two vehicles simultaneously. FIGS. -18 show four differentconfigurations of a dual traction means, the vehicle end of each of thetraction means segments 1a and 1b being attached to respective couplingmembers 14a and 14b in any prescribed manner as heretofore disclosed.Each of the coupling members 14a, 14b is attached to separate toyvehicles so that a single operator has control over both vehiclessimultaneously. In FIG. 16, a branching member 59 is provided, thebranching member 59 being slidably displaceable along the length of thetraction means pair la and lb determining the relative distance betweenvehicles.

In FIG. 17, an elongated handle 60 is shown at the free ends 5a and 5bof individual traction means In and lb allowing the operator tomanipulate the elongated handle to control the relative position of thetwo toy vehicles more individually then with the arrangement as shown inFIGS. 15 or 16.

A slight deviation from the arrangement of FIG. 17 is shown in FIG. 18,wherein a third traction means portion 10 is shown attached to thecenter tab 61 of elongated handle 60. A handle 26a is shown at the freeend 5 of the traction means 1 for grasping by the operator. By using thetraction means arrangement as shown in FIG. 18, the operator has littlecontrol over the relative position between the two vehicles such thatinteresting and randomly unpredictable maneuvers of the vehicles takeplace.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the present inventionprovides a new and entertaining toy that very closely simulates theaccelerating, braking, and steering functions of an actual racing car,wherein an extremely high velocity is attained in the straightaway, andyet the vehicle maintains its stability in the curves by the automaticbraking and steering functions afforded the vehicle by means of theextensible traction means.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it is to be understood that many variations and modificationsare possible without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing disclosure and drawingsbe considered only as illustrations of the principles of this inventionand are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The invention isaccordingly to be considered as inclusive of all modifications andvariationscoming within the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member is a coilspring.

2. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member is atwisted elastic strand having first and second strand ends, said firststrand end being fixedly secured to said reel and said second strand endbeing fixedly secured to a point on the interior of said housmg.

3. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member is anelastic strand wound in tandem around a plurality of said reels, saidreels being in the form of grooved wheels and rotatably mounted withinsaid housing.

4. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said coupling member comprises ahandle member attached to said second end of said traction means forgrasping by said operator.

5. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said housing comprises the bodyof said toy.

6. A remote controlled action toy comprising an extensible tractionmeans having a first end attached to the action toy and a second endfree to be manipulated by an operator, a resilient member operativelyassociated with said traction means, said resilient member producing theextensible quality of said traction means and increasing the tension insaid traction means in relation to the distance between said action toyand said operator, at least one coupling member attached to saidextensible traction means, said at least one coupling member comprisinga housing having an aperture through which one of said extensibletraction means ends is threaded, at least one reel rotatably mounted insaid housing upon which said traction means is wound so that saidresilient member biases said reel to take up the slack of said tractionmeans.

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1. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member is a coilspring.
 2. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member isa twisted elastic strand having first and second strand ends, said firststrand end being fixeDly secured to said reel and said second strand endbeing fixedly secured to a point on the interior of said housing.
 3. Atoy according to claim 6, wherein said resilient member is an elasticstrand wound in tandem around a plurality of said reels, said reelsbeing in the form of grooved wheels and rotatably mounted within saidhousing.
 4. A toy according to claim 6, wherein said coupling membercomprises a handle member attached to said second end of said tractionmeans for grasping by said operator.
 5. A toy according to claim 6,wherein said housing comprises the body of said toy.
 6. A remotecontrolled action toy comprising an extensible traction means having afirst end attached to the action toy and a second end free to bemanipulated by an operator, a resilient member operatively associatedwith said traction means, said resilient member producing the extensiblequality of said traction means and increasing the tension in saidtraction means in relation to the distance between said action toy andsaid operator, at least one coupling member attached to said extensibletraction means, said at least one coupling member comprising a housinghaving an aperture through which one of said extensible traction meansends is threaded, at least one reel rotatably mounted in said housingupon which said traction means is wound so that said resilient memberbiases said reel to take up the slack of said traction means.